Former Dayton Flyers center finds new home for basketball career

Dayton’s Jordan Pierce shoots at practice in September at the Cronin Center. David Jablonski/Staff

Former Dayton Flyers center Jordan Pierce will continue his basketball career at Odessa Community College in Odessa, Texas.

Odessa announced the addition of Pierce on Wednesday night. Dayton announced in March Pierce was leaving Dayton after one season. Four other players decided to transfer or turn pro.

Xeyrius Williams transferred to Akron. Kostas Antetokounmpo hopes to hear his name called in the NBA Draft on Thursday. Matej Svoboda returned to the Czech Republic to play pro basketball. John Crosby, who has one season of eligibility remaining, has not announced if he will continue his basketball career.

Dayton listed Pierce at 6-foot-11. Odessa called him a 7-footer in its announcement.

Pierce has three seasons of eligibility remaining. He appeared in two games and played a total of two minutes last season as a freshman.

Pierce signed with Dayton during Archie Miller’s final season and recommitted to the program after the hiring of Anthony Grant.

Odessa has played in three straight National Junior College Athletic Association tournaments. It finished 28-5 last season under coach Tra Arnold, who left to become an assistant coach at Iona. Its new coach is Kris Baumann, who was previously an assistant coach at the University of Texas at El Paso.